Finding the Why

....and no, I'm not talking about your local YMCA, although that may be something that helps you once you "find your why!"

This past weekend, I stumbled across several health specials on the OWN (Oprah's) network.  It used to be that when I would stumble across such programming, I would stumble right on along. I mean, I know that I have health issues - do you really know anyone who's over 50 pounds overweight (and I'm more than that, but working on it!) that DOESN'T have health issues? Obesity is pervasive...it's not just that you can't fit into your favorite pair of jeans: it's that you can't walk up two flights of stairs without huffing and puffing.  Anyway, of course, this time: I was absolutely glued to these Bob Greene (love him!) and Dr. Oz specials on obesity and weight loss.  What was the most interesting to me was not the methods employed by the specialists, but instead, WHY.  Something about the connection between doing something and why you do that something clicks for me.

When I first met with Dr. Ann (the nutritional specialist in Charleston I'm working with), the whole reason I went up there was because I'd been meeting with nutritionists here locally, and because I have been dieting for the majority of my life, I already knew the information that they were trying to impart. Not only knew it, but could probably have taught them a thing or two! When I realized this, I panicked (complete meltdown)! How on earth was I even going to begin to accomplish the goal of finally releasing all of this extra weight (and I knew then as I know now, this is my time) if I didn't have someone who could guide me on this path...who could tell me WHY I needed to exercise; WHY I needed to eat protein instead of that bagel...So I spoke with my most trusted advisor (my mother, of course!!) who steered me in the direction of Dr. Ann.  I knew that Dr. Ann would be able to direct me - what I didn't expect was that she would not only direct me and educate me, but that she would show me the WHY behind every directive.  There are actual chemical and complicated physiological reasons to eat this and that in combination (I shall leave it to Dr. Ann to explain this to you too - she has a great website: http://www.drannwellness.com/ that is incredibly informative and helpful).  Ah, at last...the WHY.

However, that is not the only WHY that one needs to find when finally deciding to release pounds. And I'll tell you, I have found this to be true when talking to men and women who have successfully dropped a hundred or more pounds, and I have found it to be true with those men and women who have successfully rid themselves of that annoying ten pounds as well...you must find the WHY that the weight got there in the first place.  Find that WHY and discover WHY you are finally ready to release the extra weight, and you will find success. 

For me, I'm still working on finding my WHY...

Good news: I do have my WHY as to why I am finally ready to release this weight. I actually, through my health scare earlier this year, was forced to realize and recognize something that actually tasted better than all the sugary s&^t I was putting in my mouth -- tasting and savoring each moment that I have with my three children and my husband whom I adore.  Thinking that I was going to lose them, these people who I dreamt of for so long -- who I wanted to be a part of my life from the time that I was a little girl and could dream of being a "Mommy" and a "Wife" -- thinking that I would risk losing them and my time with them because of what I was putting in my mouth...well, there's my WHY. Even typing it now it sounds so ridiculous that one would even remotely put something so precious in danger like that!!  Ridiculous that I had to have my "cage rattled" to such an extent as to risk losing my time with them forever...Yeah. Non-negotiable.  I plan on savoring every moment I have with each of them, and on savoring moments with future grand-babies, and God willing, great-grand-babies. 

As for the "why" that I actually put on all the weight in the first place, well, that is an on-going search for truth. But it becomes more clear to me every day that I choose to walk on this healthier path, and I have no doubt that as I continue to peel away the pounds, I will find more answers to this particular question.

For now, I am happy to walk this path, adding new friends, coaches and supporters along the way.